Family of California man who jumped from Carnival cruise ship speaks out

The family of the California man who went overboard from a Carnival Cruise ship last month has revealed his widow is facing “legal and administrative hurdles” as she raises their three young sons while grieving his sudden death.

Thomas Gigler, 56, was on an anniversary trip with his wife, Michelle, 48, when he is believed to have jumped off the Carnival Panorama as it sailed from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, toward Long Beach on Sept. 20.

Gigler, a father of three from Redlands, is presumed dead.

In a GoFundMe post, Gigler’s family described the longtime Esri employee as a beloved husband, father, friend and neighbor whose death was “sudden and completely unexpected.”

“His loss was sudden and completely unexpected and he was so loved,” the sister, Wendy Gigler, wrote on behalf of the Gigler family.

The family said Thomas was known for his generosity and easygoing nature, describing him as someone who “didn’t sweat the small stuff” and never judged others.

He was also “always up for a healthy debate,” the family said, adding that he was “genuinely curious to hear others’ views of the world.”

Now, Michelle Gigler is left to raise their three boys without her husband.

“Michelle is now raising three boys on her own,” the family wrote.

The fundraising appeal said she is simultaneously dealing with the emotional toll of losing her husband while confronting memorial expenses, legal and administrative hurdles, and the loss of Thomas’ income.

As of Monday morning, the crowdfunding campaign had raised just under $8,500 toward its $35,000 goal.

The family said the financial strain is particularly difficult because paperwork needed for Michelle Gigler to access insurance and retirement funds could take months to process.

“Michelle needs support now,” the post said.

Thomas worked for Esri, a geographic information systems company, for 24 years. His family previously said they believed something unexpected happened to him shortly before he went overboard.

His sister Wendy Dowden previously rejected a fellow passenger’s claim that Thomas Gigler had discussed marital problems at the ship’s Alchemy Bar the night before his disappearance.

The family said Thomas and Michelle “were getting along quite well” and believed he was not in his normal state of mind when he went overboard.

The Carnival Panorama turned around after surveillance footage showed Thomas had gone into the water, with the ship conducting a search before resuming its journey to Long Beach.

The US and Mexican Coast Guards, Mexican Navy and nearby vessels also participated in the search, though Thomas Gigler was not located.

The GoFundMe campaign said donations will go directly to Michelle Gigler through GoFundMe’s beneficiary system.

The money will help cover memorial and immediate expenses, keep the family’s household financially stable over the coming year, pay for grief counseling and begin building an education fund for the boys — something their father “cared deeply about.”

The family also thanked those who have supported them since Thomas Gigler disappeared, including Carnival passengers who created a memorial aboard the ship.

“To everyone who has reached out with prayers and kind words, including the passengers who created a memorial onboard, our family is deeply grateful,” Wendy wrote.

“If you can’t, sharing this page helps just as much,” the post said.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters